Doctors clearly believe placebos can help patients, the research found

Nearly all doctors have given their patients placebos, a study has found.

Researchers say 97 per cent admitted giving ‘impure’ placebos – those which have medicinal value but are unproven in the illness they are given for – at least once.

Meanwhile, 12 per cent had used ‘pure’ placebos, such as sugar pills.

Oxford research fellow Dr Jeremy Howick, one of the study’s leaders, said: ‘This is not about doctors deceiving patients.

'The study shows placebo use is widespread in the UK, and doctors clearly believe placebos can help patients.’

The doctors surveyed gave similar reasons for prescribing both pure and impure placebos.

They said they gave the medicines because patients had requested treatment, to reassure patients, or to produce a psychological effect.

The GMC does not explicitly discuss or
prohibit the use of placebos in the treatment of patients, other than
mentioning placebos in a footnote of their research guidance.

But the council's guidance does advise
that doctors should always be open with patients, explain what they are
prescribing and to answer a patient's questions honestly and fully.

'The GMC is silent on placebos, which leads to ambiguity,' believes Dr Howick.

'They do state that doctors "should
not withhold information" from patients, as to do so would prevent the
patient from providing informed consent.

Most doctors had given placebos which had a medicinal value, but were unproven in the context, such as antibiotics for a viral infection such as a sore throat

'Since some ways of using placebos could involve the suggestion with the patient that the placebo is a "real" treatment, the GMC view is often interpreted by GPs as a ban on placebos.'

Dr Howick added: ‘Current ethical
rulings on placebos ought to be revisited in light of the strong
evidence suggesting doctors broadly support their use.’

Of
the doctors surveyed, 66 per cent said pure placebos were ethically
acceptable in certain circumstances, while 33 per cent said they were
never acceptable.

Impure placebos were considered acceptable by 84 per
cent of doctors.

More than 90 per cent objected to using either type if it endangered patient/doctor trust, but nearly 20 per cent said they might use placebos even if it involved deception.

The study, by academics at the Universities of Oxford and Southampton, surveyed a random sample of doctors online, receiving 783 responses.

Professor George Lewith, of the University of Southampton, said: ‘This study demonstrates doctors are generally using placebos in good faith to help patients. Previous studies by Southampton have clearly shown placebos can help many people.